Browse Legal Topics
Learn more about these legal topics. Choose from the categories below or sort alphabetically.
Aboriginal Law
The body of law relating to aboriginal people and their rights and claims.
View ResourcesAboriginal self-governance
Arrangements for Aboriginal groups to assume responsibility and control over the decision-making that affects their communities. They are designed, established and administered by Aboriginal peoples…
View ResourcesAbuse and Family Violence
Spousal abuse Sexual assault Relationship violence Protective orders Family violence general resources Elder abuse Child abuse
View ResourcesAdministration of justice
The management and organization of our system of justice based on legal process and fairness.
View ResourcesAdministrative law
The body of law governing the decision-making processes and actions of public administrative authorities, such as tribunals and regulatory boards.
View ResourcesAdoption
A legal process by which a person becomes the parent of a child that was born to another. The law then regards the person adopted…
View ResourcesAdult Guardianship and Trusteeship
If, by some misfortune, you become incapable of managing your affairs, someone else must take on that responsibility. You can prepare for that possibility in…
View ResourcesAdvocacy
Some advocacy services assist individuals with problems such as consumer issues, rental problems, welfare appeals; other advocacy groups aim to influence public policy or push…
View ResourcesAIDS/HIV
Resources about legal topics relevant to AIDS/HIV. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
View ResourcesAlternative Dispute Resolution
Often it is preferable to resolve conflicts or disagreements outside of the court system. There are a variety of formal ways to do this. Two…
View ResourcesAnimal Welfare
The humane care of animals in agriculture, research, companionship and other areas.
View ResourcesArrest
To seize someone, usually because they are suspected of committing a crime, and take them into police custody.
View ResourcesBankruptcy and foreclosure
Bankruptcy is a formal process guided by law in which a debtor’s property is turned over to a trustee who manages the payment of creditors.…
View ResourcesBullying
Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has a hard time defending themselves.
View ResourcesBusiness
Information, links and answers to important questions on Business for Albertans. The page summarizes provincial and federal information about changes in the law and legal services…
View ResourcesCharter of Rights
Short form for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the bill of rights that is part of the Constitution Act 1982.
View ResourcesChild support
The amount of maintenance (financial support) the parent not living with their child must pay. Also known as 'child maintenance'.
View ResourcesCitizenship and Immigration
Resources about what it means to be a citizen of Canada including Canadian values, social responsibility, civic awareness, and being engaged with our democratic traditions…
View ResourcesCivil actions
Any type of court-based action except criminal proceedings, for example actions related to such areas as family law, personal injury actions, employment law, and matters…
View ResourcesCivil law
Refers to either: any type of law except criminal (such as family law, personal injury actions, employment law, and wills & estates); or the legal…
View ResourcesCivil liberties
The rights and freedoms that citizens enjoy in a democracy. Also known as 'civil rights', they can be thought of as the rights and freedoms…
View ResourcesCivil Matters - Resources for Self Represented Litigants
Being a self represented litigant means that you do not have a lawyer and are choosing to represent yourself in a legal proceeding. LawCentraAlberta provides…
View ResourcesCivil society
Refers to the activity of citizens, and organizations acting in free association without the authority of the state, and without the motive of profit. This…
View ResourcesCommon law relationships
Two people living together in a marriage-like relationship without being legally married to each other may be referred to as living 'common law'. The legal…
View ResourcesCommunications and media
Resources about legal topics related to transmitting information including radio, television, film, the press, publishing, telecommunications, and the internet.
View ResourcesCondominium Law
Resources for Albertans looking for information about Condominium Law.
View ResourcesConstitutional law
The body of law which deals with the distribution or exercise of the powers of government.
View ResourcesConsumer protection and fraud
Resources about legal topics relevant to consumers (people buying goods and services), including such topics as consumer rights and responsibilities, resolving disputes between buyers and…
View ResourcesContracts
Agreements between two or more people (or groups) to do (or not to do) something. The agreement can be enforced by law.
View ResourcesCopyright & Patents
As technology has made distributing information easier than ever, more people are concerned about copyright law. How does copyright impact you?
View ResourcesCorrections
The social control of offenders through a system of imprisonment and rehabilitation and probation and parole.
View ResourcesCourts and court judgments
Assemblies presided over by a magistrate or by one or more judges who administer civil, criminal, or administrative justice according to the laws. Court judgments…
View ResourcesCredit and debt
Credit is an arrangement to pay for goods and services at a later time. Common types of credit are bank loans, lines of credit, credit…
View ResourcesCrimes and offences
Any act that has been contrary to the public good and is, therefore, prosecutable by criminal process. In Canada, most crimes are listed in the…
View ResourcesCriminal law general resources
Criminal law declares acts to be crimes and prescribes punishment of those crimes. General resources relate to criminal law in general, that is they cover…
View ResourcesCriminal records and record suspensions
A record suspension (formerly known as a pardon) allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated that…
View ResourcesCriminology
The study of the nature, causes, treatment or punishment of criminal behaviour.
View ResourcesCustody, Guardianship and Access
If you want to be responsible for your child's care, select the resources on parenting. If you are wondering about visitation rights with your child,…
View ResourcesDisabilities
Resources about legal topics related to physical or mental conditions that interfere with daily activity.
View ResourcesDiversity
A term used to encompass all the various differences among people including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status.
View ResourcesDivorce and separation
Divorce is the legal end to a marriage. Separation is the decision by spouses to live apart with the intention of ending the relationship. Significant…
View ResourcesElder abuse
Any deliberate action or lack of action that causes harm to an older adult. The harm could be physical, emotional, financial or some combination and…
View ResourcesEnvironmental protection and conservation
Resources about legal topics or public policy related to preservation and careful management of the environment.
View ResourcesFamily law general resources
The body of law dealing with marriage, divorce, custody, access and financial support of children and division of property of a failed marriage. General resources…
View ResourcesFamily violence general resources
Refers to any form of physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse against spouses, elder family members, or children. General resources relate to family violence in…
View ResourcesFederal government departments
Links to Government of Canada Departments, Agencies, Crown Corporations, Special Operating Agencies and various affiliated organizations.
View ResourcesFreedom of information
The legal right, subject to certain exclusions, of the public, to access and correct public records. The right of access is balanced by the need…
View ResourcesGangs
An ongoing organization or group, formal or informal, which is involved in criminal activity on a regular basis.
View ResourcesHarassment
Unwanted negative attention that intimidates, humiliates, offends or disturbs an individual; it may interfere with the ability to do a job or obtain a service.
View ResourcesHate crime
A criminal act against a person or property that is motivated by hate/bias against the victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability. This includes…
View ResourcesHomelessness
Resources about legal topics or public policy issues related to the condition of being without a home, which is sometimes described as having no regular…
View ResourcesHomelessness and Affordable Housing
Discover which local organizations advocate for low-income housing. Find out more about your rights as a person without a fixed address. The resources on this…
View ResourcesHuman rights
Human rights are moral rights and freedoms that belong to everyone simply by reason of being human. They include the right to life, liberty and…
View ResourcesImmigration
The movement of people from one country into another country, for the purpose of permanently living in that second country.
View ResourcesInternational law
The body of law that governs relations between nations as well as regulating trade and other legal relationships which involve the jurisdiction of more than…
View ResourcesInternet law and policy
Resources about legal topics or public policy issues governing interactions taking place on the internet.
View ResourcesInternet safety
Resources that deal with the potential dangers of the Internet and protections against them.
View ResourcesIntroduction to Canadian Law
The resources on this page provide an introduction to the legal structure of Canada.
View ResourcesJuries
A group of people (usually 12) who review all the evidence in a court case and then come to a verdict.
View ResourcesLandlord and tenant
Resources about legal topics related to renting housing. See CPLEA's Laws for Landlords and Tenants at LandlordandTenant.org
View ResourcesLaw libraries
Libraries that specialize in providing law-related materials to the legal community and the general public.
View ResourcesLaw Reform
The following organizations focus their efforts on the development and improvement of the law and public policy.
View ResourcesLawyers
Individuals who are trained in the law and licensed, and provide services to those who need legal advice or representation. Includes resources that assist with…
View ResourcesLegal Aid
Publicly-funded programs that provide legal counselling and/or representation for people who cannot afford to pay for them.
View ResourcesLegal History
In this section, you will find resources related to Canadian legal history.
View ResourcesLegal research
This section provides links to information about researching the law in Canada. There are two types of legal research. The first is the process of…
View ResourcesLegal services
Pro-bono and low-cost services that provide legal assistance such as legal representation, legal counseling, legal advice, and legal information.
View ResourcesLegislative materials
Federal, provincial and territorial laws, including bills, statutes and regulations.
View ResourcesMarriage
Marriage is the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others. Visit CPLEA's website on Family Law: Get Married
View ResourcesMilitary law
The body of laws and rules of conduct that govern persons employed in the armed forces.
View ResourcesMoney, Debt and Fraud
Learn about managing money, dealing with debt, and avoiding fraud. This section provides information about borrowing money, repaying debt, dealing with creditors, and recognizing scams.…
View ResourcesMulticulturalism
The principle that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist in harmony in a single country.
View ResourcesMunicipal information and bylaws
A municipality is a local government with powers and duties determined by provincial legislation; for example, cities, towns, counties, villages. A bylaw is a law…
View ResourcesNatural resources
Resources about legal topics related to things we use that are obtained from the earth – air, land, water, forests, wildlife, minerals, fuels and so…
View ResourcesOther legal personnel
Resources about legal professionals other than judges, lawyers or police. Includes notaries public, commissioners for oaths, paralegals, process servers, mediators.
View ResourcesParole
Early release from prison, but with conditions. If someone is given parole they may be returned to prison if they disobey the conditions or offend…
View ResourcesPensions
A program or system for payment of money on a continuing basis to a person who has retired or is disabled. It could be paid…
View ResourcesPolice
An organized civil force for maintaining order, preventing and detecting crime, and enforcing the laws.
View ResourcesPolitical Parties
Groups of people who hold similar political aims and opinions and have organized, generally for the prime purpose of nominating and supporting candidates at elections
View ResourcesPolitical process and voting
Resources related to the activities of forming, directing, and influencing governments as well as about the involvement of citizens in elections.
View ResourcesPreventing Crime in your Community
A wide range of strategies are used to reduce criminal activity. These include educational programs, crime reporting programs, community development programs (which address socio-economic factors…
View ResourcesPrivacy
A person's right to control access to his or her personal information. For resources about protecting your privacy on the Internet, see the keyword Internet…
View ResourcesProstitution and pornography
Prostitution is the selling of sexual services for money. Pornography is material which describes or exhibits sexual activity for the purpose of arousing sexual excitement.
View ResourcesProtective orders
An order issued by a court to protect one person from another person. It states what that other person must, or must not, do (examples:…
View ResourcesProvincial and territorial government departments
Links for specific departments of various provincial or territorial governments within Canada. Does not include federal or municipal departments.
View ResourcesPublic consultations
A process, typically conducted by government bodies, which seeks the input of affected people and other interested parties so that a range of views and…
View ResourcesPublic legal education organizations
Organizations whose primary mandate is to help the public understand the law and the justice system. Public legal education is not: legal advice, legal representation,…
View ResourcesPublic policy
A broad statement regarded by parliament, a legislature, or by the courts as being of fundamental concern to the state and the whole of society…
View ResourcesPublic safety
The prevention of, and the protection of the general population from, all kinds of significant danger, injury, damage, or harm. This prevention and protection traditionally…
View ResourcesRacism
Believing someone to be inferior or treating someone less favourably because of their race, colour, nationality or culture.
View ResourcesReal estate and home ownership
Resources about legal topics related to buying and selling land and/or buildings and owning a home.
View ResourcesRefugees
A refugee is a person who is outside his state of origin or of residence, and cannot return for fear of human-rights related persecution.
View ResourcesRelationship violence
In a dating relationship, when one person tries to dominate the other emotionally, physically or sexually.
View ResourcesResearch Institutes
This section features organizations that conduct research or gather data about various law-related issues.
View ResourcesResources for Self Represented Litigants
Are you considering whether or not you will handle a legal matter, particularly a matter that is going to court, without the assistance of a…
View ResourcesRestorative justice
Responses to crime that focus on who has been harmed and how they have been affected by crime, not just what law has been broken…
View ResourcesSchool law
The body of law that deals with education issues (including the operation of all levels of schools and the relationships within them).
View ResourcesSelf-representation
Are you considering whether or not you will handle a legal matter, particularly a matter that is going to court, without the assistance of a…
View ResourcesSexual assault
An assault of a sexual nature on another person, that is, any sexual activity to which one of the people has not consented.
View ResourcesSexual harassment
Persistent and unwanted sexual advances (ranging from invasion of personal space to inappropriate remarks or touching to sexual assault), typically in the workplace, where the…
View ResourcesSmall claims court
A court (usually provincial or territorial) in which claims up to $100,000 (depends on the province) can be made. The procedures are simplified and designed…
View ResourcesSpousal abuse
Physical or emotional injury to one spouse (partner in a marriage or common-law relationship) by the other.
View ResourcesSpousal support
Financial support for a former spouse (partner in a marriage or common-law relationship.
View ResourcesSupportive living and seniors' housing
Supportive living combines accommodation services with other supports and care for seniors and people with disabilities.
View ResourcesTaxation
Taxes are a payment required by law, to fund the operation of the government and the services it provides.
View ResourcesTemporary foreign workers
Resources related to the legal rights and responsibilities of workers who come from other countries to work in Canada under special government provisions.
View ResourcesTransportation
Resources about legal topics related to the transport of goods and people by land, air, or water.
View ResourcesUnions
In employment law, an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer.
View ResourcesVictim support and victim rights
Help and education for those who have been harmed or suffered loss from another’s criminal act.
View ResourcesVolunteering
Whether you give your time and energy to support a worthy cause, or you work for an organization that uses volunteers, you may not be…
View ResourcesWills and estates
A will is a legal document determining the distribution of property and belongings after a person’s death. Also included here is information about legal documents…
View ResourcesWorkers' compensation
The liability of an employer that arises from any injury that occurs to an employee during the course of his/her work. In Canada, this is…
View ResourcesWorkers' health and safety
Resources related to maintaining safe and healthy workplaces; does not include workers' compensation.
View ResourcesWorkers' rights and employment standards
Resources about legal topics related to the interaction between employers and employees including such topics as minimum wage, holidays, maternity leave and protection from discrimination.…
View ResourcesWriting in plain language
Plain language is simple, clear, and direct and uses common words; the intent of plain language is to make information accessible. Included here are resources…
View ResourcesYouth criminal justice
Resources about the distinct laws and separate system for handling crimes committed by people under the age of 18, sometimes called young offenders.
View Resources